Introduction
INTRODUCTION
WITNESSES
CES LETTER CLAIM
The testimony of the Three and Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon is a key part to the testimonies of many members of the Church. Some even base their testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon on these 11 witnesses and their claims. As a missionary, I was instructed to teach investigators about the testimonies of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon as part of boosting the book’s credibility.
CES Letter, Page 86
DEBUNKING REPLY
The Book of Mormon witnesses actually have a very strong case.
More Details
The Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses reported different experiences, which makes their testimonies even more credible.
The Three Witnesses reported spiritual experiences including an angelic visitation. The Eight Witnesses recounted a primarily physical experience of feeling and hefting the gold plates.
Many of the witnesses later left the Church but that did not cause them to deny what they had earlier affirmed. Besides the eleven witness, Other individuals saw and felt the plates, and left their testimonies.
Paul taught “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” ( 2 Corinthians 13:1).
CES LETTER CLAIM
There are several critical problems for relying and betting on these 19th century men as credible witnesses.
CES Letter, Page 86
DEBUNKING REPLY
Does living in the 19th century make them not credible? The CES Letter seeks to discredit the witnesses by cherry picking a select few quotes. A complete examination of available documents strengthens their credibility.
Dismissing the witnesses as "19th century men" in the CES letter is a weak argument. Are we really suggesting that an entire group of people should be disregarded for living in the 19th century? Before we criticize the witnesses based solely on the era they lived, let's approach the matter with fairness and open-mindedness.
The witnesses were also practical men. Click here.
Martin Harris checked Joseph’s translation with an acknowledged expert, and came away convinced. Click here.
Harris also replaced the seer stone without Joseph’s knowledge as a “blinded trial.” Click here.
Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer tested Joseph’s ability to use the seer stone to see things more than one hundred miles distant that they knew about, but Joseph did not. Click here.
One hostile source thought Martin was “quite skeptical” and practical, except when it came to Joseph’s claims. So, they did not see him as gullible or easy to deceive—that is why they could not understand why he believed Joseph. Click here.